Deputy Chief of Staff

Deputy Chief of Staff

The Deputy Chief of Staff provides strategic, operational, and project management leadership to the University's Office of External Affairs. Reporting to the Senior Vice President of External Affairs & Strategic Initiatives, this individual is the second-most senior member of the Department of External Affairs. This role drives the advancement of the University's public mission by coordinating legislative priorities, external relations, and advancement initiatives in alignment with state, system, and institutional goals. The position serves as a trusted advisor to senior leadership and a central coordinator across academic, administrative, and external stakeholders—ensuring initiatives are executed efficiently, compliantly, and with appropriate public accountability.

Project & Initiative Execution and Management

Lead and manage complex, cross-functional initiatives related to government relations, public funding, capital projects, and institutional advancement.

Develop and maintain project plans, timelines, and performance metrics for high-priority initiatives, including legislative strategies and public-facing campaigns.

Identify risks, dependencies, and compliance considerations; proactively address challenges to ensure timely and effective outcomes.

Coordinate messaging and outreach efforts to ensure consistency across government affairs, advancement, communications, and academic units

Key bodies of work include:

• Government Affairs: Support state, federal, and local government relations efforts, including policy analysis and stakeholder engagement, particularly supporting our federal engagement strategy and the National Coalition of Predominantly Black Institutions.
• Partnership & Advancement: The Deputy Chief of Staff will spearhead the university's partnership strategy, including owning the creation and management of a partnership strategy for the university and the success of several highly visible and complex relationships. This work will include working across the university to create relationships that fully benefit the university and our community.
• Event Czar: The Office of External Affairs hosts over a dozen highly visible, complicated events that include distinguished guests and audiences of hundreds. The Deputy Chief of Staff will ensure the Department hosts well-run events.
• Center for Workforce Equity & Illinois Center for Education Equity – supporting special initiatives out of the Centers, particularly as it relates to partnership engagement.
• Strategic Positioning, Data, & Continuous Improvement
• Serve as a strategic advisor to the Senior Vice President, leading planning, prioritization, and execution of division-wide goals.
• Manage philanthropic, state, and federal grant budgets, project plans, and seeking grants
• Track key performance indicators and outcomes across initiatives
• Oversee day-to-day operations of the External Affairs Department, including agenda management, follow-up tracking, and decision documentation.
• Support compliance with applicable state laws, public records requirements, ethics rules, lobbying regulations, and system policies.
• Assist with budget planning, expenditure tracking, and reporting in accordance with public university and system guidelines.
• Communications, Reporting & Stakeholder Engagement
• Serve as a primary point of coordination between the External Affairs Department, university leadership, system offices, and external stakeholders.
• Draft and review internal reports and materials
• Support transparency and accountability through timely reporting and data-driven updates.
• Manage the SVP's calendar, schedule, and communications

Minimum Qualifications

Must establish Illinois residency within 180 calendar days of the start date

Bachelor's degree.

A total of three (3) years (36 months) in education, training and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position. (Note: Master's Degree in an area consistent with the duties of the position may be substituted for one (1) year of work experience. Based on position requirements, additional education, training, and/or work experience in the area of specialization inherent to the position, may be required.

Preferred Qualifications

Bachelor's degree required; 3–5 years of progressively complex experience in a public university, government agency, system office, or related public-sector or non-profit environment.

Strong understanding of public governance, political processes, and organizational dynamics.

Excellent written and verbal communication skills, with experience preparing materials for senior leaders and public officials.

Excellent project management skills

Experience in running well-organized, complex events

Sound judgment, discretion, and attention to detail

Relationship management and diplomacy

Commitment to public higher education and service

Experience working with or supporting governing boards, system offices, or elected officials.

Master's degree in public administration, public policy, higher education, business, or related field preferred.

Strategic planning and execution

Public-sector project management

Knowledge, Skills and Abilities

Additional Applicant Information

Physical Requirement/ Demands

Work Environment - May require occasional evening or weekend work to support legislative sessions, board meetings, or university events. Periodic travel may be required for meetings with legislators, system offices, or external partners.

Posting Specific Questions

Required fields are indicated with an asterisk (*).

Applicant Documents

Required Documents

1. Resume
2. Cover Letter
3. References

Optional Documents